Head of Racquet Sports Professional

Job Description

Job Description

The Head of Racquet Sports Professional qualifies for both the executive and administrative exemptions. The Head of Racquet Sports Professional will customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more full-time employees and exercise managerial authority over them. The position includes the involvement in making recommendations regarding hiring, firing, employee relations, training and development, performance appraisal/management, health and safety and career advancement. In addition, on a regular basis, the Head of Racquet Sports Professional exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance in the completion of administrative duties supporting all racquet activities.

Head of Racquet Sports Professional is responsible for overseeing racquet sports activities, including tennis, pickleball, and padel, at Fisher Island Club. This role involves managing programs, supervising assistants pro staff and ensuring a high-quality experience for all members and guests. The ideal candidate will have a background in racquet sports, leadership skills, and a passion for promoting an active lifestyle. An individual with great interpersonal skills, stamina, sensitivity, high moral standards and overall multi-tasking ability to report directly to the Director of Racquet Sports. The Head of Racquet Sports Professional will be present and available to all members not only when the Director is available but also on his absence. In accordance with Fisher Island Club’s philosophy, the Head of Racquet Sports Professional work together with all team members sharing a common goal of a successful and innovative club. Head of Racquet Sports Professional to demonstrate integrity and honesty. These are our core values that we will live by in our daily interaction with all our external and internal members, guests, and customers.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Development

• Plan and manage a comprehensive program and schedule of racquet sports activities, including leagues, tournaments, and social events.
• Develop and implement comprehensive racquet sports junior program for all skill levels and ages along with assistant pros.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create, market and promote programs and events.
• Evaluate and suggest improvements in existing tennis, padel and pickleball programs based on member feedback and participation.
• Manage the adult tennis women and men’s state league by creating teams, recruiting players, developing their training programs and matches’ schedules.
• Attend regional RSPA, PTR, USTA or equivalent meetings among member clubs, industry functions and act as USTA liaison for rules and regulations monitoring for compliance with state and national league rules and policies.

1. Staff Management

• Recruit, train, and supervise assistant professionals and maintenance staff.
• Create training procedures to be followed by assistant pros.
• Evaluate assistant pro staff performance and provide constructive feedback with the authority to suggest personnel actions, including disciplining and rewarding staff members.
• Analyze, create and update a facility maintenance checklist of job responsibilities to be followed by the maintenance staff.
• Supervise, direct and evaluate the maintenance staff.

1. Administrative Duties

• Develop and work with the Director to analyze and finalize the racquet sports budget.
• Manage the budget and inventory for equipment, maintenance, and teaching purchases.
• Maintain accurate records of lessons, programs, and member participation.
• Ensure compliance with all club policies and safety regulations.
• Create rules for all competitive and social events.
• Organize and oversee tournaments, leagues, and special events.
• Write weekly articles and video for the newsletter covering the racquet sports

1. Facility Management

• Manage the maintenance and cleanliness of all racquet sports facilities.
• Manage the maintenance team to ensure courts and equipment are in excellent condition.
• Implement and enforce booking reservation policies.
• Regularly engage with the grounds and building department to ensure work orders are reported and addressed.

1. Coaching and Instruction:

• Provide private and group lessons for all ages and skill levels.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to improve programs and services.
• Attend training/ workshops pertaining to racquet club management for professional development within the Fisher Island Club.
• Represent the club/facility in professional tennis activities, including meetings of the national and/or local division of RSPA, PTR and in tournaments such as pro-am with members, as well as state or national events as time will permit with the approval of the Director of Racquet Sports.

1. Member Engagement:
   • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members.
   • Address member inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally.
   • Organize and participate in member events to build community and engagement.
   • Respond to and resolve member and guest problems and complaints.

Job Requirements Duties Include

• Formulate and recommend short-term and long-term goals for the tennis, padel and pickleball programs as well as strategic plans to reach established goals.
• Inspect the courts and facilities prior to start of play and ascertain that all necessary maintenance has been performed to provide a safe environment for all users.
• Ensure all teaching equipment are properly stored and maintained.
• Ensure with pro shop staff that all daily lessons and court bookings are accounted for on the system.
• Monitor, analyze and consider options to maximize court usage including special events, clinics, lessons, and play.

• Devote a reasonable number of hours to playing with members as a Club ambassador, to obtain information regarding members’ likes and dislikes and to promote Club programs regardless of level of members’ experience; such play is not to be considered a playing lesson.
• Enforces all club rules and regulations governing the use of the club/facility, its equipment and other property.
• Works cooperatively with other departments to develop combined programs for the membership.
• Inform and make recommendations to the Racquet Club Director regarding problems or issues relating to members, guests, or other general tennis department-related matters.
• Assist pro-shop manager and personnel as needed by serving the membership on sales, game arrangements, court reservations, and racquet stringing.
• Maintain a positive and productive culture in the workplace.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment in the completion of job duties related to matters of significance.
• Acts as the Club's Ambassador to enhance the value of the Club.
• Act as manager on duty in director’s absence. Be on site whenever the director is not on the grounds.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, hospitality, or a related field preferred and/or applicable experience.
• Minimum of 5 years as a Head Professional, or as Assistant Racquet Sports Director with at least 2 years with leadership roles supervising assistants.
• RSPA, PTR or equivalent professional certification required.
• Pickleball and Padel Professional Certification required.
• Experience in a service-related field, preferably at exclusive private country club environment/and or resort.
• Knowledge of tennis, padel and pickleball program, activities, educational and recreational events.
• Experience using analytics to interpret outcomes, identify opportunities and drive membership decisions.
• Database experience with computer software programs.
• A charismatic, energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image. Is discreet and conducts themselves with a high degree of professionalism.
• An intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization and possesses excellent written and oral communication skills. Must be able to communicate policies, procedures, regulations, and reports to staff, members, and guests.
• Ability to use effective problem-solving skills, and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant, exhibits sound and accurate judgment and makes timely decisions.
• Provides exceptional member service and uses prompt and responsive follow-through. Asks questions to identify member needs and/or expectations. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Able to work in a rapidly changing work environment. Must be able to adapt to changes, manage competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Must be highly visible and have the ability maintain a flexible work schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as dictated by the event schedule.
• CPR/AED yearly certification required.

Skills:

• Self-motivated, self-starter, able to share ideas, and implements plans without significant oversight after plans were discussed with Racquet Club director.
• High level of playing skills is required with College, ATP or WTA playing experiences.
• Proficient level of computer knowledge with a specific, basic knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communications skills and ability to speak and read English is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to exercise initiative.
• Strong organizational ability.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of ages and demographic groups.
• Ability to take charge and motivate others.
• Enthusiastic, patient, entertaining, enjoyable and exercises self-control.
• Possess the ability to handle high stress and volume of children and adults while maintaining a positive, caring, and professional composure

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment and outdoor for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to stand, walk, and actively engage in racquet sports activities for extended periods.
• Capability to lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds.

This description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the Job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances (changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, emergencies, or technological developments) change.